The following Article is from DQ News.
Maybe we are at the bottom and it is time to buy again in San Diego and Southern California.
La Jolla, CA—Southern California home sales rose for the 11th consecutive month in May as sales of $500,000-plus homes started to come back. The median price paid increased slightly from the prior month for the first time since July 2007, the result of a shift in market activity where sales of deeply discounted foreclosures waned and mid- to high-end purchases rose, a real estate information service reported.
A total of 20,775 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties last month. That was up 1.3 percent from 20,514 in April and up 22.8 percent from 16,917 a year ago, according to San Diego-based MDA DataQuick.
Sales have increased year-over-year for 11 consecutive months.
May’s sales were the highest for that month since May 2006, when 30,303 homes sold, but were 21.2 percent below the average May sales total since 1988, when DataQuick’s statistics begin.
Foreclosure resales – homes sold in May that had been foreclosed on in the prior 12 months – accounted for 50.2 percent of all Southland resales. That was down from 53.5 percent in April and from a peak of 56.7 percent in February. May’s figure was the lowest since foreclosure resales were 50.9 percent of all resales last October.
The remarkably sharp declines in the Southland’s median sale price over the past year have been exacerbated by a shift toward an above-average number of sales occurring in lower-cost inland markets rife with discounted foreclosures. However, the number of homes lost to foreclosure declined over the winter, leaving fewer for bargain hunters to scoop up this spring. Meantime, sales have begun to rise a bit in many mid- to high-end markets, which could be due at least in part to sellers dropping their asking prices.
Last month 83 percent of the existing Southland houses sold were purchased for less than $500,000, compared with 84.8 percent in April. Conversely, sales $500,000 and above rose from 15.2 percent of sales in April to 17 percent in May. The last time the $500,000-plus market made up more than 17 percent of all sales was last October, when they were 19.9 percent of sales.
The median price paid for all new and resale houses and condos sold in the six-county Southland last month was $249,000, up 0.8 percent from $247,000 in April but down 32.7 percent from $370,000 a year ago.
The median price hadn’t risen from one month to the next since July 2007, when it increased 0.6 percent from $502,000 to $505,000.
Last month’s median was the second-lowest for any month since it was $242,000 in February 2002, and it stood 50.7 percent below the peak $505,000 median reached in spring and summer of 2007.
“We appear to be in the early stages of the market gradually tilting back toward a more normal balance of sales across the home price spectrum. As more sellers get realistic, more buyers get off the fence and more lenders offer reasonable terms for high-end purchase financing, we’ll see a more normal share of sales in the more established, higher-cost areas that have been nearly comatose,” said John Walsh, MDA DataQuick president.
“Let’s not forget we’re into the traditional home buying season right now,” he continued, “meaning more people are purchasing for all of the normal reasons, such as a new job or to get settled before school starts. Many are concerned with finding the right home in the right area, not just the most deeply discounted home.”
Among the reasons high-end sales have been nearly frozen the past year: The “jumbo” mortgages needed to buy such homes have been more expensive and much harder to obtain since August 2007, when the credit crunch hit. Before then, nearly 40 percent of Southland sales were financed with jumbo loans, then defined as over $417,000. Last month it was only 12.0 percent, though that was up from 10.6 in April and the highest since last November, when $417,000-plus loans were used for 12.2 percent of home purchases.
At the lower end of the price spectrum, first-time buyers continue to rely heavily on government-insured FHA financing. Such loans were used to finance 38.4 percent of all Southland home purchases last month, down slightly from 38.9 percent in April but up from 19.7 percent a year ago. In the Inland Empire, more than half of all May home purchases were financed with FHA loans.
Absentee buyers, including investors who will have their property tax bills sent to a different address, bought 19.4 percent of the Southland homes sold last month. That’s up from 16.9 percent a year ago and 18.6 percent in April. The monthly average since 2000: 15 percent.
MDA DataQuick is a division of MDA Lending Solutions, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates. MDA DataQuick monitors real estate activity nationwide and provides information to consumers, educational institutions, public agencies, lending institutions, title companies and industry analysts.
The typical monthly mortgage payment that Southern California buyers committed themselves to paying was $1,052 last month, up from $1,038 the previous month, and down from $1,782 a year ago. Adjusted for inflation, current payments are 52.1 percent below typical payments in the spring of 1989, the peak of the prior real estate cycle. They are 60.7 percent below the current cycle’s peak in July 2007.
Indicators of market distress continue to move in different directions. Foreclosure activity remains near record levels, while financing with adjustable-rate mortgages is near the all-time low, as is financing with multiple mortgages. Down payment sizes and flipping rates are stable. Non-owner occupied buying has risen and is above-average in some markets, MDA DataQuick reported.
US Home Sales Rise Second Straight Month In May
By · CommentsWASHINGTON (Dow Jones)–Existing-home sales improved again in May, but falling prices and bloated supply promise to make a housing sector recovery slow.
Home resales rose by 2.4% to a 4.77 million annual rate from 4.66 million in April, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday.
It was the second straight increase and the fourth in six months. The increase would have been bigger if not for poor appraisals, the realtors indicated.
About a third of May resales involved distressed property. Foreclosures have pushed prices lower. The median price for an existing home last month was $173,000, down 16.8% from $207,900 in May 2008.
"We need to have increased sales to stabilize prices," NAR economist Lawrence Yun said.
While lower prices make houses cheaper, the drop also lowers household net worth and can discourage a purchase as a would-be buyer awaits a better deal. Prices are falling because of excess supply.
"We just experienced the longest, largest housing bubble in U.S. history," said Mike Larson of Weiss Research. "As a result, the recovery process will be a long, drawn-out affair."
The data Tuesday showed inventories of previously owned homes fell last month, down 3.5% to 3.8 million available for sale. That represented a lower – yet still-elevated – 9.6-month supply at the current sales pace, compared to 10.1 in April.
"There is still a considerable distance to travel before prices sink to levels necessary to balance supply and demand in the housing market," MFR Inc. analyst Joshua Shapiro said.
The problem with appraisals could delay recovery, too, according to Yun. He says reports of problems have been "snowballing from across the country, with many contracts falling through at the last moment."
"There is danger of a delayed housing market recovery and a further rise in foreclosures if the appraisal problems are not quickly corrected," he added.
Tighter credit has hurt home sales – as has a quarter-century-high unemployment rate of 9.4%. A Labor Department report Tuesday showed the number of U.S. workers involved in mass layoffs rose in May, climbing to 312,880 from 271,226 during April; these people are identified as initial filers for unemployment insurance.
Realtors hope the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers, inserted in the Obama administration’s economic stimulus package, keeps prodding demand. Previously owned home sales, year over year, were down 3.6% from the pace in May 2008, Tuesday’s report said.
Low mortgage rates have encouraged buying amid the recession. But rates have climbed. The average 30-year mortgage rate was 4.86% in May, up from 4.81% in April, Freddie Mac (FRE) data show. Rates have gone up in June and analysts fear rising borrowing costs might restrain demand.
"There is a danger that the recent surge in mortgage rates will snuff out a recovery before it even begins, said Paul Dales, an analyst for Capital Economics.
8 major benefits of new credit card law
By · CommentsOn May 22, President Barack Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure, or Credit CARD, Act of 2009 into law. The legislation will improve consumer disclosures and end some egregious practices in the industry but stops short of capping interest rates and fees. Most of the provisions go into effect Feb. 22, 2010, unless otherwise stated.
Here’s an overview of the major changes the law will enact.
1. Retroactive rate increases
Issuers can’t raise rates on an existing balance unless you’re late by 60 days or more. No longer will they be able to punish borrowers for late payments on unrelated accounts under the practice of universal default or due to "anytime, any reason" clauses.
If the cardholder does trigger the default rate because of a 60-day delinquency, the bank must restore the lower rate once the cardholder demonstrates six consecutive on-time payments. This provision takes effect in August 2010.
Rates can’t be raised in the first year after issuance, and promotional rates must last at least six months.
New credit card rules
- Retroactive rate increases
- More advance notice of rate hikes
- Fee restrictions
- Restricts marketing and issuance to students
- Ends double-cycle billing
- Fairer payment allocation
- More time to pay
- Gift card protections
Caveat: Issuers can raise rates at any time for any reason on new balances with 45 days’ advance notice. Cardholders will still need to read correspondence from their creditors.
2. More advance notice of rate hikes
Consumers get 45 days’ notice before key contract changes take effect, including rate increases. Under the current Truth in Lending Act, cardholders only receive a 15-day heads up. This change takes effect Aug. 20, 2009.
Caveat: This provision doesn’t apply to credit limit changes. If your issuer slashes your limit, notification isn’t necessary unless the reduction would trigger a penalty, such as an overlimit fee.
The new rules also don’t cap interest rates. The increased rate can still be triple your existing APR.
3. Fee restrictions
Cardholders will not face overlimit fees unless they elect to allow the creditor to approve overlimit transactions. Issuers can’t charge more than one overlimit fee per billing cycle.
In general, banks can’t charge consumers a fee to pay their credit card debt, a cost some cardholders encounter for payments made by telephone or Internet. They can impose a fee to expedite a payment.
Payments received by the due date — or the next business day, if the bank doesn’t accept mailed payments on the due date — won’t trigger a late fee. If the cardholder pays at a local branch, the payment must be credited the same day.
The new law limits fees on "fee-harvester" subprime cards as well. In the first year after issuance, nonpenalty fees cannot take up more than 25 percent of the initial credit limit.
4. Restricts card issuance to students
Consumers ages 18 to 21 who don’t have adequate income or a co-signer, or who don’t complete a certified financial literacy course, won’t get approved for credit cards. The provision protects young people who lack the means or the knowledge to handle credit cards from miring themselves into debt, but could backfire by pushing students to payday lenders and pawnshops, says Greg McBride, senior financial analyst at Bankrate.com.
According to a recent Sallie Mae study, college students carried an average balance of $3,173 on their credit cards last year, a record high since the first analysis in 1998. A whopping 82 percent revolved a balance each month.
5. Ends double-cycle billing
The new law bans double-cycle billing, the practice of basing finance charges on the current and previous balance. Under this method, the issuer could charge interest on debt already paid off the previous month.
6. Fairer payment allocation
A close look at your card agreement will likely reveal a clause that explains that payments will be applied to lower-rate balances first. Not so anymore. The Credit CARD Act requires above-the-minimum payments to be applied first to the credit card balance with the highest interest rate.
7. More time to pay
Card companies must send statements 21 days before a payment is due. Current law requires a mere 14 days’ notice. This provision goes into effect Aug. 20, 2009.
8. Gift card protections
The legislation includes protections for gift cardholders. The new law prohibits gift cards from expiring for at least five years. Issuer cannot assess inactivity fees unless the card has gone unused for 12 months. The gift card rules go into effect August 2010.
North County Times
Press releases for arts and entertainment events and programs should be typed, double-spaced, with basic information about the event, performance dates and times, location, ticket prices and a public telephone number. Send notices two to three weeks before the event to Preview, 207 E. Pennsylvania Ave., Escondido, 92025, or via e-mail to preview@nctimes.com. Or fax items to (760) 745-3769.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival —- Festival from June 5 through June 7 features live music, balloon glows and launches, motocross show, tastings by 22 local wineries, food booths, family activities; bands include LoneStar, James Otto and Chuck Wicks on June 5; Sugar Ray on June 6; freestyle motocross and Starship featuring Mickey Thomas on June 7; Lake Skinner Recreation Area, 37701 Warren Road, Winchester; $18 for adults, free for children 12 and under on June 5; $22 for adults, $5 youth 7-12, free for children 6 and under on June 6; $15 for adults, $5 for youth age 7-12, free for children age 6 and under on June 7 (two-day package $30 for June 6-7); tvbwf.com.
Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival —- As part of Encinitas Environment Day weekend, this three-day showcase of environmentally themed films will feature a reception and film screenings in three locations; film fest reception, 6 p.m. June 5 at La Paloma Theatre; children’s film screenings from 11 a.m. June 6 at the Encinitas Library; adult-subject films screen all day June 7 at the La Paloma; and a film tent will be erected June 7 at the Encinitas Environment Day at Cottonwood Creek Park; 760-943-1950.
San Diego County Fair —– This year’s fair, themed "Music Mania," will feature a diverse concert lineup, midway and rides, animal, garden and hobbyist exhibitions, vendor and food booths, sports and art exhibitions and much more; Fair runs June 12 through July 5 (closed June 15 and 22); gates open at 11 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. weekends; gates close at 10 a.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar; $13, adults; $7, ages 6 to 12; free for ages 5 and under; sdfair.com.
"California of the Past" to be screened —- The Escondido Public Library Pioneer room will screen "California of the Past," a compilation of locally produced short digital stories about Escondido history; 2 p.m. June 13; 239 S. Kalmia St., Escondido; 760-839-4601.
Sesame Street Live —- "Elmo’s Green Thumb" brings the popular TV show’s cast to town; 7 p.m. June 25, 10:30 a.m. June 25 and 27, 2 p.m. June 27 and 1 and 4:30 p.m. June 28; San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego; $13-$37.50; 619-224-4171 or sesamestreetlive.com.
Switchfoot Bro-Am —- The locally born rock band hosts its fifth annual charity surf contest and concert to benefit StandUp for Kids; surfing, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., concert, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27; Moonlight Beach, Encinitas; free; 760-274-3930.
The Wiggles —- Children’s music entertainers; 3 and 7 p.m. July 23; San Diego Civic Theatre, Third Avenue and B Street, San Diego; $15-$32; 619-570-1100 or ticketmaster.com.
THEME PARKS
Belmont Park —- The park will offer discount family nights on Tuesdays, with half-price rides from 4 p.m. to closing; Opened in 1925, this beachside amusement park features the historical Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster, along with a traditional carousel, bumper cars, the Beach Blaster suspension thrill ride, CHAOS 360-degree spin ride, laser and mirror mazes, kiddie rides, flight simulator, climbing tree, arcade, picnic and play areas, the Wave House, with the Bruticus Maximus giant wave rider and Flow Rider perpetual wave machine, and the 80-year-old Plunge, the largest indoor pool in Southern California; hours, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; hours, May 23-June 18, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays-Fridays; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays; hours, June 19-Aug. 20, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays; 3190 Mission Blvd., Mission Beach; unlimited ride wristbands, $22.95 (50 inches and up) and $15.95 (under 50 inches); individual rides, $2-$6; Giant Dipper is $6; FlowRider is $15; miniature golf is $7; 858-488-1549 or belmontpark.com.
Boomers! Vista —- Amusement park features arcades, bumper boats, batting cages, miniature golf, laser tag, children’s rides and a large climbing structure; noon to 8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon to 10 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays; 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista; $27.99 (unlimited, excludes batting cages and coin arcade) for over 58 inches; $24.99, under 58 inches; $3-$8, single attractions; 760-945-9474 or boomersparks.com.
Castle Park —- Opened in 1973, the theme park includes more than 30 rides including roller coasters, a log chute, carnival rides, an arcade, miniature golf and magic shows; arcade opens at 11 a.m. daily; rides open at noon; 3500 Polk St., Riverside; unlimited ride pass: $19.99, taller than 48 inches; $12.99, under 48 inches; annual passes, $50-$55 (miniature golf has separate fee, $6.99-$7.99); 951-785-3000 or castlepark.com.
Discovery Science Center —- "Robots & Us," an interactive exhibit explaining and demonstrating robot technology, is now open; "The Science of Hockey," a new interactive exhibit exploring the physics and physiology of the game, is open; more than 100 hands-on science, math and technology exhibits, including "Dino Quest," earthquake "shake shack," climbing wall, musical floor, and 4-D theater. Now featuring "Masters of the Night: The TRUE Story of Bats"; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana; $12.95, general; $9.95, children (3-17); free, children 2 and under; $3, parking; 714-542-2823 or discoverycube.org.
Disneyland Park —- Just launched: "Celebrate! A Street Party" is a new daily parade event with 100 performers (including 48 dancers and 24 Disney characters) who walk behind the parade floats and stop at three spots along the parade route to perform and invite park guests to join in the celebration; also new is the Celebration Roundup & Barbecue, an outdoor dinner theater event in Big Thunder Ranch featuring a barbecue lunch or dinner and a live, Western-style stage show; cost is $28.99 for adults and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 19; "Summer Nightastic!" fireworks show debuts June 12 and runs through Aug. 23; Opened in July 1955, Walt Disney theme park includes 60 attractions, including roller coasters, trains, boats, trolleys, carriage and black-light rides, monorail, walk-throughs, live shows, hands-on exhibits and walkabout encounters; "It’s a Small World" has recently reopened after an 18-month refurbishment with an all-new North America scene and new Disney character costumes (from "Aladdin" and "Lilo and Stitch") in various lands; "Innoventions Dream Home," a futuristic 5,000-square-foot home showcasing the latest home technology, is now open in Tomorrowland; Remember … Dreams Come True" fireworks and special effects show nightly; open daily; hours vary; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $84-$94, one-day park-hopper passes; $123-$143, two-day park-hopper passes; $134-$389, annual passes; $12, parking ($17, RVs); 714-781-4565 or disneyland.com.
Disneyland’s California Adventure —- Opened in 2001, this 55-acre Disney theme park highlights the history, culture, beauty and industries of California; themed lands include Golden State (agriculture, aviation, wilderness), Paradise Pier (seaside amusement park) and Hollywood Pictures Backlot (filmmaking, TV and stage shows); the park has more than 25 themed attractions, shows and rides; the park is in the midst of a multiyear expansion and enhancement that will include the introduction of many new attractions, rides and shows through 2012; newly opened, refurbished midway games and carousel on Paradise Pier; "High School Musical 3: Right Here! Right Now!" stage show, featuring a cast of 14 singer/dancers, plays three times a day in the Sun Plaza; "Toy Story Mania," a 3-D ride-through attraction where riders take target practice at "Toy Story" characters, is now open; hours vary, check Web site for daily schedule; Harbor Boulevard at Disney Way, Anaheim; $69, general (ages 10-59); $59, children 3-9; free, 2 and under; $84-$94, one-day park-hopper passes; $123-$143, two-day park-hopper passes; $134-$389, annual passes; $12, parking ($17, RVs); 714-781-4565 or disneyland.com.
Knott’s Berry Farm —- Knott’s is a 160-acre amusement park featuring an authentic Old West Ghost Town; roller coasters; Camp Snoopy’s children’s area; themed restaurants; June 13 marks the 75th anniversary of the park’s Chicken Dinner restaurant; on June 21, high-wire artist Nick Wallenda will perform 150 feet off the ground; all-new "Everybody Loves Snoopy" live ice-skating show and other family entertainment; thrill rides that include the Silver Bullet, a Western-themed suspended roller coaster that features a 109-foot drop, corkscrews, spirals and cobra rolls, and RipTide thrill ride, which sends riders in a floorless, spinning gondola soaring 59 feet into 360-degree vertical arcs; opens daily at 10 a.m.; closing time varies; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; $51.99, adults ($41.99 for Southern California adults); $22.99, seniors (62+) and children 3 to 11; free, children 2 and under; $59.95-$114.95, annual passes; $10, parking; 714-220-5200 or knotts.com.
Knott’s Soak City, Chula Vista —- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends Sept. 12-20; this 32-acre water park features 22 water slides, raft rides and children’s play areas; gates open at 10 a.m.; closing hours vary from 6 to 7 p.m.; 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista; $29.95, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $19.95, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11) and seniors; $12, parking; 619-661-7373 or knotts.com/soakcity.
Knott’s Soak City, Orange County —- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends Sept. 12-20; the 13-acre park has 23 water slides, raft rides and children’s play areas; Pacific Spin is a tube slide that drops riders into a six-story funnel; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; $29.95, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $19.95, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11) and seniors; $12, parking; 619-661-7373 or knotts.com/soakcity.
Knott’s Soak City, Palm Springs —- The park is open daily through Sept. 7, then weekends only through Sept. 27; the park has 10 water slides, raft rides, wave pool, children’s play areas, Pacific Spin; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 1500 S. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs; $29.99, adults (Southern California residents get a $5 adult discount); $19.99, children (3-11) and seniors; season passes: $79.99, adults; $49.99, children (3-11); $9, parking; 760-327-0499 or knotts.com/soakcity.
Legoland California —- To mark its 10th anniversary, the park will host a nightly fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. June 27-Aug. 29; Lego Star Wars Days are June 13-14, with costumed stormtroopers, daily costume contests, video game battles, trivia activities, scavenger hunts and Lego building activities; to celebrate the Fourth of July, the park will host an all-day party from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with children’s potato sack races, dance lessons, live music by Jumpitz, acrobatic performances and fireworks (atr 8:30 p.m.); The 128-acre Lego toy-themed amusement park, best suited for ages 2 to 12, offers hands-on Lego-building areas; new "Bob the Builder in 4-D: Bob the Builder and the Roller-Coaster" film; the park has interactive play areas; water rides and attractions; mini-roller-coasters and car-and -boat driving courses; live stage shows; walk-through attractions; Miniland USA (miniature cities of the world built from Lego bricks); dinosaur, Egypt, water, middle ages and other themed "lands"; winter hours (through May), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays-Mondays (closed Tuesdays-Wednesdays); park is open daily June 13-Sept. 6); 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $62, general; $52, children (3-12) and seniors; free, 2 and under; $10, parking; 760-918-5346 or legoland.com.
Raging Waters —- The park is open weekends only through June 11; daily hours begin June 11 and continue through Sept. 7, then Sept. and 13 only; California’s largest water park features 36 slides and attractions includingeight-story speed slides, 50-foot half-pipe slide; enclosed, twisting and misting slides up to 600 feet long; two-person bowl-slide; 10-story two-person slide; family raft ride; wave pool; Flow Rider perpetual wave machine; children’s wading and play areas; opens at 10 a.m. daily; closing hours vary; 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas; $35.99, general (48 inches and up); $24.99, seniors (55 and up); $21.99, under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; season pass, $69.99; two for $99.99; $10, parking; 909-802-2200 or ragingwaters.com.
San Diego Zoo —- The Harry and Grace Steele Elephant Odyssey, the largest exhibit in the zoo’s history, is now open; the 7.5-acre habitat features elephants, jaguars and California condors along with replicas of their Pleistocene-era ancestors; The 100-acre zoo houses more than 4,000 animals of 800 species and 6,500 plant species; features include walk-through gorilla, polar bear, tiger and rain forest habitats; live shows; children’s petting areas; Chinese giant panda exhibit; orangutan and siamang ape enclosure; "Monkey Trails and Forest Tales" habitat is a 3-acre, walk-through multilevel habitat enclosure for African and Asian monkeys, leopards, snakes, tortoises, crocodiles and birds; spring hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (grounds close at 5 p.m.); summer hours, June 27-Sept. 7 are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; Balboa Park, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego; $28.50-$35, adults; $18.50-$26, children (4-11); (higher ticket price includes unlimited skyfari and guided bus tour rides); free parking; 619-234-3153 or sandiegozoo.org.
San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park —- Dino Mountain, an exhibit of 24 animatronic dinosaurs, is on exhibit in the Conifer Forest through Sept. 7; exhibit includes hands-on activities and crafts; admission to the exhibit is $4; Magical Mystery Dino Show at 2 and 5 p.m. in the Tembo Stadium; Dino Dig at Jameson Research Island from 1 to 4 p.m. daily’ opened in 1972, the 1,800-acre wildlife preserve operated by the San Diego Zoo allows visitors to see more than 3,500 animals of 429 species in their naturalistic habitats; now open, a new zipline aerial tour that flies riders over the rhino and giraffe enclosures at speeds up to 47 mph; price is $70; park tours available on the "Journey Into Africa" 25-minute tram ride ($6-$10); plus hands-on encounters, walk-through exhibits, live animal shows, children’s petting areas; new ride, Balloon Safari, a tethered balloon that glides over the park’s Serengeti plain for 15-minute rides, priced at $15; a 50-foot African-themed carousel with 61 animal-themed ride-on creatures is open; "Cheetah Run Safari" is a group tour that offers visitors a chance to see a cheetah sprint up close ($69); "Lion Camp" offers visitors an up-close look at the African cats in their natural habitat; "Frequent Flyers" bird show is performed several times daily; motion simulator ride; spring hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily (grounds close at 5 p.m.); summer hours, June 20-Sept. 7 are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, San Pasqual Valley; $28.50-$35, general; $18.50-$26, children (ages 4-11); (higher ticket price includes unlimited carousel and Journey into Africa rides); $9, parking ($14 for motorhomes); 760-747-8702 or wildanimalpark.org.
Scandia Ontario —- This Scandinavian-style theme park offers 25 rides and attractions including roller coasters, race cars, carnival-style rides, miniature golf, an arcade and batting cages; 1155 S. Wanamaker Ave., Ontario; unlimited rides: $22.95, taller than 54 inches; $17.95, under 54 inches; golf, $6.95-$9.50; 909-390-3092 or scandiafun.com.
Sea Life Aquarium at Legoland —- The aquarium include a 36,000-square-foot aquarium filled with more than 200 aquatic species including seahorses, stingrays and sharks in a 200,000-gallon aquarium; "Sharks Revealed," a new interactive exhibit that introduces children to the mysterious world of sharks, opens May 29; also features more than 70 models made from Lego bricks display, including an 11-foot submarine; a sea-themed cafe and interactive sandcastle-building area; hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad; $18.95, adults; $15.95, seniors 60 and over; $11.95, children ages 3 to 12; $10, parking; 760-918-5346 or sealifeus.com.
SeaWorld San Diego —- Summer Nights extended-hours program is now under way, with evening entertainment including "Shamu Rocks," "Ignight" dolphin show, Sea Lions Tonight and Shamu’s SkySplash fireworks show; Cirque de la Mer acrobatics show and "Sea Lions Live"are performed in the daytime hours; Opened in 1964, the 189-acre ocean-themed park owned by Anheuser-Busch features live shows with killer whales, dolphins and sea lions; hands-on sea creature encounters; skytower, virtual motion, rapids and splashdown rides; shark, seabird, penguin, dolphin, otter and manatee aquariums; Budweiser Clydesdale horses; stage shows and Sesame Street-themed play area; hands-on interactive experiences available with dolphins and beluga whales; hours vary; 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego; $65, adults; $55, children (3-9); free, children 2 and under; $12, parking; 800-257-4268 or seaworld.com/sandiego.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor —- The park is open daily June 6 through Sept. 7, then weekends through Sept. 27; the park features 23 attractions including 13 speed slides, six-lane racing slide, family raft ride, wave pool, lazy river ride, children’s play area, wading pools; 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; $24.99, general; $19.99, children under 48 inches; free, 2 and under; season pass, $39.99; $15, parking; now through Labor Day, bring a Coke product to the Six Flags ticket booth and get in for $19.99; 661-255-4527 or sixflags.com.
Six Flags Magic Mountain —- The park’s 16th coaster, Terminator Salvation: The Ride, is now open; the $10 million wooden coaster combines the feel of a classic "woodie" with state-of-the-art sound and ride elements; the theme park has the world’s largest collection of roller coasters —- 16, including X2, a sound-and-light coaster with 360-degree turns; Tatsu, billed as the world’s tallest, fastest and longest "flying" coaster; Scream floorless coaster travels at 65 mph with a 150-foot drop and 128-foot vertical loop; plus new Thomas Town toddler land, children’s play areas, water rides, live shows; opens at 10:30 a.m. daily; closing hours vary; 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; $59.99, general; $29.99, children under 48 inches; free, 2 and under; $15, parking; now through Labor Day, bring a Coke product to the Six Flags ticket booth and get buy-one-get-one free admission for $29.99; (661) 255-4111 or sixflags.com.
Speed Zone Los Angeles —- This 10-acre auto racing-themed park offers miniature auto race tracks built for 3/4-scale Grand Prix cars and 18-foot, 300hp dragsters, as well as miniature golf and an arcade; hours vary; 17871 Castleton St., City of Industry; prices by the hour, playcards start at $40; 626-913-9663 or speedzone.com.
Universal Studios Hollywood —- The 415-acre movie-based theme park, built in 1964 on the grounds of the Universal television studios, features roller coasters and thrill rides, special effects-based live shows and a ride-through behind-the-scenes Studios Tour; the park’s studio backlot (heavily damaged by fire last year) will reopen in mid-summer with all new sets and attractions; opening July 1, the "Creature from the Black Lagoon: A Raging Rockin’ Show," a 25-minute musical stage show based on the classic horror film; "Universal’s House of Horrors" walk-through haunted house; "Revenge of the Mummy —- The Ride," is one of the world’s fastest indoor roller coasters (with forward/backward motion, 45 mph top speed and animatronic mummies) and has been renovated to include a chilling 45-degree mummy’s tomb room; other features include a "Van Helsing" walk-through funhouse; "Shrek 4-D" ride; "Terminator 3-D" live/multimedia shows; "The Simpsons" virtual reality ride; "Waterworld" water show; "Jurassic Park," with new water features, "Back to the Future" thrill rides; Nickelodeon Blast Zone children’s water play area; film and TV history exhibits; opening May 28 at the Universal CityWalk shopping district, The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club; park hours vary, but generally 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekends; 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City; $64, adults; $54, children under 48 inches; free, children 2 and under; $74-$129, annual passes; $199 VIP experience; $10, parking ($20, preferred parking); universalstudioshollywood.com.
The Wave Waterpark —- The park is open daily through Aug. 23; then weekends only Aug. 29-Sept. 27; park features the Rippity’s Rainforest, a four-story children’s rain forest-themed climbing and play structure with water features; four water slides, a "Flow Rider" perpetual wave machine, lazy river tube ride, large competition pool, new-and-improved restaurant and picnic areas; regular hours, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; free parking; 101 Wave Drive, Vista; $16, general; $12, under 42 inches; $11, seniors (over 60); free, children 2 and under; $70, summer passport; daily admission after 3 p.m., $8; 760-940-9283 or thewavewaterpark.com.
Wild Rivers Waterpark —- The park is open for weekends only through June 14, then daily June 17 through Sept. 7; then weekends Sept. 12-27; the 20-acre park has 40 rides and attractions, including two wave pools, slides, lazy river, tube and family flume rides, children’s play area and wading; picnic area and dining; 8770 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine; $31.98, general (48 inches and up); $19.98, children (under 48 inches); free, children 2 and under; $10, parking; 949-788-0808 or wildrivers.com.
COMEDY
Jay Mohr —- 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. June 5; DreamCatcher at Viejas, Viejas Casino, 5005 Willows Road, Alpine; $37.50-$50; 619-220-8497 or viejasentertainment.com.
Jeff Dunham —- 7 and 9:30 p.m. June 6; Palomar Starlight Theater, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala; $49-$79; 619-220-8497 or palacasino.com/entertainment.
Comedy Store Presents at South Coast Winery Resort & Spa —- 8:30 p.m. June 6; South Coast Winery Resort & Spa, 34843 Rancho California Road, Temecula; $19.95 for wine club members, $21 for non-club members (plus two-drink minimum); 866-994-6379.
Triple Threat —- An evening of comedy, magic and stunts featuring comedy magician Dana Daniels with Luigi the Psychic Parrot, Mad Chad Taylor (who juggles chainsaws) and comedian/musician Doug Mattocks and his pyrotechnic banjo; 3 and 7 p.m. June 7; California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido; $10; 800-988-4253.
Paula Poundstone —- 7:30 p.m. June 7; Anthology, 1377 India St., San Diego; $38; 619-595-0300.
Lisa Lampanelli —- 7:30 p.m. June 12; Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, San Diego; $37.50; 619-220-8497 or ticketmaster.com.
"Battle of the Sexes" —- The Hinges 15-member improv comedy troupe will present a men vs. women comedy challenge; 7:30 p.m. June 6; Sews & Shows Theatre, 7860 Golden Ave., Lemon Grove; $8 in advance; $10 at door; hingesimprov.com.
West Coast Funnies —- Hawaiian-born comedian Paul Ogata headlines the monthly comedy show, hosted by Kurt Swann and featuring Matty Balaker and the Pearl St. Players; 8 p.m. June 13; Carlsbad Village Theatre, 2822 State St., Carlsbad; $15 online; $20 at the door; 619-997-3033.
Cedric the Entertainer —- 7:30 p.m. June 13; Palomar Starlight Theater, Pala Casino Spa & Resort, 11154 Highway 76, Pala; $35-$65; 619-220-8497 or palacasino.com/entertainment.
Howie Mandel —- 7:30 p.m. June 20; Valley View Casino, 16300 Nyemii Pass Road, Valley Center; $45-$55; 619-220-8497 or valleyviewcasino.com/entertainment.
Bill Engvall —- 7:30 p.m. June 24; Grandstand stage, San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar; free with paid admission to the fair; $22-$33, reserved seats (includes fair admission); $99, dinner package (includes floor seating, fair admission and parking); $10, parking; 858-755-1161 or sdfair.com/fair.
"Songs & Music" —- The Hinges 15-member improv comedy troupe will present a comedy show based around music, song lyrics and the audiences’ favorite musical groups; 7:30 p.m. July 11; Sews & Shows Theatre, 7860 Golden Ave., Lemon Grove; $8 in advance; $10 at door; hingesimprov.com.
Gabriel Iglesias —- 8 p.m. July 17; Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $39; $102, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.
Brian Regan —- 8 p.m. July 18; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $40-$65; (877) 711-2946.
Joel McHale —- 7 p.m. July 24; Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $49; $112, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.
Jim Gaffigan —- 6:30 and 9 p.m. July 31; Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $45; $108, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Aug. 1; Pechanga Showroom, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $35-$55; (877) 711-2946.
"Movies: Good, Bad & Ugly" —- The Hinges 15-member improv comedy troupe will present a comedy show based around movie quotes, favorite actors and the cinema; 7:30 p.m. Aug. 1; Sews & Shows Theatre, 7860 Golden Ave., Lemon Grove; $8 in advance; $10 at door; hingesimprov.com.
Sinbad —- 8 p.m. Sept. 10; Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $37; $100, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.
Larry the Cable Guy —- 8 p.m. Aug. 28; Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort, 777 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center; (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Wanda Sykes —- With Keith Robinson; 8 p.m. Sept. 19; Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $60; $123, dinner package; 619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.
Carlos Mencia —- 8:30 p.m. Oct. 17; Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego; $48; $111, dinner package;619-220-8497 or humphreysconcerts.com.
COMEDY CLUBS
The Comedy Club at Pechanga —- Improvisational comedy club hosts three comics nightly; 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays; 8 and 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Pechanga Improv Comedy Club, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula; $22; 877-711-2946.
Comedy Store La Jolla —- New comedians nightly; 6:45 p.m. Sundays; 8 p.m. Wednesdays/Thursdays; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 916 Pearl St., La Jolla; $20 on Fridays/Saturdays; $8, Wednesdays; no cover/two-drink minimum, Sundays; 858-454-9176.
National Comedy Theatre —– San Diego-based improvisational comedy troupe creates on-the-spot skits from audience suggestions; appropriate for all audiences; 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; National Comedy Theatre, 3717 India St., San Diego; $15, general; $12, students, seniors and military; 619-295-4999 or www.nationalcomedy.com.
